Royal Dutch Shell Plc .com Rotating Header Image

Michiel Brandjes

Hugh Mitchell named as Shell interim legal boss

Feb 6th, 2014
by John Donovan.
1 comment

Screen Shot 2013-12-22 at 19.09.52We can only speculate about the sudden resignation of Peter Rees QC days after Ben van Beurden took up his new role as Chief Executive Officer of the company. Since then, Shell’s image and reputation has undergone a transformation from a successful multinational to a company in crisis, having issued a profits warning, abandoned mega projects and embarked on a massive fire sale of assets. The temporary appointment of a non lawyer to be head of Shell’s legal department, as announced today, further undermines confidence in the stability of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

By John Donovan

The Lawyer reports today that Hugh Mitchell, the head of Shell HR (an executive director of Royal Dutch Shell Plc) is now in temporary charge of Shell legal assisted by Michiel Brandjes, Company Secretary and General Counsel Corporate.

Sounds like desperation stakes bearing in mind that Mitchell is not even a lawyer and is also a member of the executive committee responsible for the current meltdown at Shell.

He also  has ultimate responsibility for Shell internal and external communications, Shell real estate, Shell global security, Shell health and Shell aircraft. Now head of legal without any legal qualifications. Jack of all trades… read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

You cannot escape history: Royal Dutch Shell and Allseas

Jan 31st, 2014
by John Donovan.
1 comment

INTRODUCTION BY JOHN DONOVAN: Royal Dutch Shell Plc (Company Secretary Michiel Brandjes) and Allseas were given advance sight of the article below on Tuesday and notified of my intention to publish today. They were offered the opportunity to point out any factual inaccuracies plus an invitation to supply comment for publication on an unedited basis alongside the article. I stated that if no response was received by today, Friday 31 January, I would take that as confirmation that Shell and Allseas do not challenge the facts as stated. No response was received from either company.

EXTRACT FROM THE ARTICLE: “So we are now in this twisted historical situation that a company with a heavy burden on its shoulders regarding supporting Nazi Germany during and after the leadership of Deterding in the 1930’s, has ordered a company with an equally dubious history to decommission Shell oil platforms using a ship named in honour of a former SS officer.”

By Ton Biesemaat

You cannot escape history: Royal Dutch Shell and Allseas

Two companies with a dubious past history come together. One is Royal Dutch Shell, which under her chief managing director Sir Henri Deterding financially supported Nazi Germany. The other one is Allseas, owned by Edward Heerema. He is the son of Pieter Schelte Heerema, pioneer of the offshore business and a former Waffen SS member and diehard Nazi.

Allseas has ordered a South Korean ship builder to produce one of the largest ships in the world for decommissioning obsolete oil platforms in for example the North Sea. European legislation, which originates from the famous Brent Spar affair, obliges oil companies to dismantle these oil and gas platforms in an environmentally safe way. A whole new multi billion dollar business in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico is emerging. The mega ship from Allseas is now in its test phase. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

How Shell exploited the tragedy that befell a filling station franchisee

Nov 11th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet
Jochen Colleen tragically killed in a road accident

Jochen Piehl tragically killed in a road accident

Against their wishes, Shell sent another franchise owner to stand in for them supposedly on a temporary basis, then refused to allow them to return. Shell’s alleged treachery ruined the family financially making the situation even more distressing at the worst possible time. Colleen says: “We were so lost and weak and broken with our son’s death that we could not even put up a ‘fight’ at the time.” Her damming assessment of the oil giant: “Shell have no morals or scruples and don’t care how and who they destroy.”

By John Donovan

Over a decade ago, Frank and Colleen Piehl were the first tenants of the Shell owned Sibonelo filling station based at Ngwenya, Swaziland at the Oshoek border post of South Africa (Oshoek) and Swaziland.

The family mortgaged their home and invested their life savings into what was becoming a thriving business, despite unusual onerous terms attached to the lease arising from an interest held by a consortium of landowners.

In 2001, their only son, Jochen, was killed in a road accident at the age of 13. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Evidence of false and misleading information in Shell Brent Bravo maintenance records

Oct 1st, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-10-01 at 17.31.45WHISTLEBLOWER INFORMATION SUPPLIED TO CHIEF SUPT. BILLY GORDON OF THE SCOTTISH POLICE BY BILL CAMPBELL, RETIRED HSE GROUP AUDITOR, SHELL INTERNATIONAL. INCLUDES SHELL INTERNAL DOCUMENTATION MARKED “STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL”.

EXTRACT FROM ONE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL SHELL INTERNAL DOCUMENT – circulated to Chris Finlayson and Tom Botts

There was evidence of false and misleading information in maintenance records for safety critical equipment, for example the Brent Bravo ESDV which failed its leak-off test in April 1998 was recorded as ‘NO FAULT FOUND’.

EMAIL FROM BILL CAMPBELL TO SUPT. BILLLY GORDON, SENT 27 SEPT 2013. COPIED TO MICHIEL BRANDJES, COMPANY SECRETARY & GENERAL COUNSEL CORPORATE, ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC

From: [email protected]
Subject: Bundle C and D
Date: 27 September 2013 11:29:54 GMT+01:00
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected], [email protected]

This covers Emergency Shutdown Valves (ESDV), fire and gas detection systems designed to operate on ESDV in an emergency and unapproved temporary repairs.  This data is not disputed by Shell as being their data. This data supports the articles sent to you a few days ago.
 
Bundle C and D
 
Bill Campbell read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

LAST NIGHT AT IRISH GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS

Sep 20th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-09-20 at 09.39.31

ABOVE IS AN ATTACHMENT TO A BRIEF OSSL EMAIL (BELOW) SENT TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES AND OFFICIALS OF ROYAL DUTCH SHELL EARLIER TODAY

From: THE OSSL COMPANY <[email protected]>
Subject: LAST NIGHT AT IRISH GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS …YOU SHAME THE NAME OF SHELL …
Date: 20 September 2013 07:19:41 GMT+01:00
To: Michael Crothers <[email protected]>, John Shell News <[email protected]>, Michiel Brandjes <[email protected]>, Peter Voser <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Neil Rooney <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected] read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

OSSL EMAIL BOMBARDMENT OF SHELL CONTINUES

Sep 19th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-09-19 at 13.14.10

By John Donovan

I have published within this article the latest OSSL emails and attachments sent to Shell regarding the Shell Garda alcohol scandal.

OSSL claims that they have actually sent 678 emails to Shell alone requesting payment for the alcohol in question, which was supplied on Shell’s instructions.

They say that copies of the emails are available on request “just ask” – and that the figure does not include emails sent to the Garda on the same subject.

The failure of Royal Dutch Shell senior management to deal with this huge continuing embarrassment is breathtaking. Shell appears to be being run by fools who do not have a clue about crisis management. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Tiresome outrageous allegations by OSSL against Shell

Sep 19th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-09-12 at 13.51.56Posting on our Shell Blog 19 Sept 2013:

The practice of accusing Shell of something outrageous and then claiming that lack of rebuttal equates to proof of that claim is getting quite tiresome. Does anyone agree? (ref. OSSL emails to Shell and Irish Police18 Sept 2013)

Screen Shot 2013-09-04 at 13.49.26

By John Donovan

A posting on our Shell Blog this morning by “supershell” makes a fair point…

The practice of accusing Shell of something outrageous and then claiming that lack of rebuttal equates to proof of that claim is getting quite tiresome. Does anyone agree? (ref. OSSL emails to Shell and Irish Police18 Sept 2013)

It is relevant to note that the first OSSL email of today to Supt Thomas Murphy (copied to various Shell executives and lawyers) that I have printed below, claims that 434 out of 435 emails OSSL sent on the alcohol subject to the Garda, Shell, or associates parties, went unanswered. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

SHELL HAS HAD ADVANCE SIGHT OF THIS STATEMENT

Sep 11th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-03-05 at 15.42.20THIS STATEMENT BY MR BILL CAMPBELL, RETIRED HSE GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL, WAS SUPPLIED TO ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC COMPANY SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL CORPORATE, MR MICHIEL BRANDJES IN ADVANCE OF ITS PUBLICATION TODAY. THUS SHELL HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK AN INJUNCTION TO PREVENT PUBLICATION

By Bill Campbell, statement embargoed for publication on 11 September 2013

Death by Sandblasting – how production concerns, versus safety of employees, caused offshore deaths

 

The Shell Chairman and his Legal Counsel accepts that the evidence held by police that offshore staff were afraid to raise permits and had been conditioned by onshore managers to ignore safety procedures over a prolonged period is authentic

 

This story is about behaviour, bad behaviour.  It is about how offshore workers were bullied, coerced, harassed by onshore management to keep oil and gas production going at all costs and over a prolonged period of time.  It’s about how operators will do what is expected of them if they are put under unreasonable pressure.  It’s about how under these conditions deviation, or bending of rules, leads to breaking rules, and eventually to ignoring rules altogether.  Ignoring rules, despite the consequences, becomes just the normal way of doing things in the Brent oilfield. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

NO CHIVALRY AT SHELL

Aug 27th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-08-27 at 13.32.19By John Donovan

A month has passed since the death of my father, Alfred Donovan, at the age of 96. A war disabled and decorated veteran who spent 12 years in the British Army.

I have received many moving tributes and messages of condolences from friends and critics, for which I am most sincerely grateful.

But not one word from Shell. No gallantly shown towards a formidable opponent of Shell in recent decades (and the Japanese invaders in Burma during World War 2).

The company has been well aware for several years that if it stipulates that a communication sent to me is not for publication, that stipulation would be respected. So it could have said something off the record, but chose not to make even that minimal gesture of respect. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

ALFRED DONOVAN AND ROYAL DUTCH SHELL

Aug 2nd, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 12.59.12AN OPEN LETTER TO MR MICHIEL BRANDJES, COMPANY SECRETARY & GENERAL COUNSEL CORPORATE, ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC.

SUBJECT: THE DEATH OF MY FATHER, ALFRED DONOVAN

From: John Donovan <[email protected]>
Subject: THE DEATH OF MY FATHER, ALFRED DONOVAN
Date: 2 August 2013 12:46:37 GMT+01:00
To: [email protected]

AN OPEN LETTER

Dear Mr. Brandjes

I am disappointed, but perhaps not surprised, that Shell management has not been gallant enough to make any comment about the death of my father, a 96 year old 2nd World War veteran who had a business relationship with Shell stretching back over 50 years, the majority of which was mutually beneficial and friendly. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

A Unique Relationship With Shell

Jun 24th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Because of the “royaldutchshellplc.com” domain name, we regularly receive job applications, business proposals, pension enquiries, and sometimes even terrorist threats meant for Shell. We deal with all such matters as agreed with Mr Brandjes, sometimes corresponding with third parties on behalf of Shell, occasionally passing on correspondence to him.  We have been offered oil wells and coalmines by third parties wrongly believing that we are Shell.

LETTER DATED 24 JUNE 2013 FROM ALFRED & JOHN DONOVAN TO SHELL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

24 June 2013

Mr. Gary Thomson

Shell International Limited

Shell Centre

London SE1 7NA

UK

 

Dear Mr Thomson

Data Protection Act 1998 Subject Access Request (SAR)

Thank you for your letter dated 19 June 2013.

Please find enclosed completed application forms together with cheques based on a fee of £10 per applicant, if that is appropriate.

The application is made on an annual basis in joint names; the formula sensibly requested by your former colleague Mr Richard Wiseman and agreed to by us.

The categories of  “Particular Personal Data” you have brought to our attention in the standard form supplied are not appropriate to our application. You do not have any category that is relevant to our relationship with Shell, which is unique. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

BG Group CEO Chris Finlayson, past indiscretions at Shell

Jun 8th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

In summary, Finlayson (right) sees himself as a victim to the goings-on in 1999, just one of many victims in the then Shell Expro, described in our Audit notes as a hostile environment of extreme denial.  I can concur that Chris was a victim, when for example he made light of the Touch F-All scandal in various press statements of which there is an audio record he did so because his Brent Field Manager Jorn Berget misled him.  He soon realised this but despite many attempts by me and his Internal Audit Manager he would not retract the statement.  In fear, no doubt for his job, his future promotion prospects etc, and led by the ear by his mentor and boss Malcolm Brinded he toed the line. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

SHELL INDUSTRIAL SCALE CORRUPTION OF THE IRISH POLICE

May 6th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Astonishingly, none of these Shell officials, nor John Gilligan, Alan Shatter, or anyone else in the Irish government, police, or any oversight body, has asked me to supply the voluminous evidence. No one seems shocked, or even interested. There have been no denials issued, nor have I received any threats of litigation, as could be anticipated if the allegations were without foundation. This seems to be a rotten state of affairs? I am now beginning to wonder if Shell has bought the whole Irish Establishment?

EMAIL SENT BY JOHN DONOVAN TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT (THE DAIL)

From: John Donovan <[email protected]>
Subject: SHELL INDUSTRIAL SCALE CORRUPTION OF THE IRISH POLICE
Date: 6 May 2013 15:32:09 GMT+01:00
To: [email protected]

Irish Police corruption, booze and violence sponsored by Shell

Dear Mr Shane Ross TD

I am writing to you and all other members of the Dail on an exceptional basis concerning a matter that should be a cause of great concern.

I sent an email to your Justice Minister Mr Alan Shatter over a month ago concerning alleged widespread corruption of the Garda by Shell E&P Ireland.

Mr Shatter is aware that I have in my possession a vast array of what I believe to be related authentic documents and correspondence.  It includes an invoice from a small firm – The OSSL Company – to Shell E&P Ireland for over 35,000 euros (plus VAT) spent on the procurement of alcohol distributed to the Garda by OSSL, on behalf of its long time client, Shell. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

SHELL SPONSORED CORRUPTION OF THE IRISH POLICE

May 1st, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Under the circumstances, I wondered if a pilot scheme was underway in Ireland already, with Shell sponsoring the Garda? Was some foolish government official or department conned into believing that Royal Dutch Shell is reputable? If so, I would have thought the sponsorship should flow into state coffers, rather than down the throats of apparently very thirsty police officers.

EMAIL TO JUSTICE MINISTER OF IRELAND, MR ALAN SHATTER TD.

From: John Donovan <[email protected]>
Subject: SHELL SPONSORED CORRUPTION OF THE IRISH POLICE
Date: 1 May 2013 19:55:39 GMT+01:00
To: INFO <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]

Dear Mr Shatter

As you may be aware, your private secretary has kindly acknowledged receipt on your behalf of three emails I have already sent to you regarding the above subject.

I listened with interest to a segment broadcast on BBC Radio 4 “PM” programme this evening of possible brand sponsorship of the UK police. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

Alleged Shell Irish Bribes Scandal

Apr 15th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

“…Shell funded alcohol was allegedly distributed to the Police, a gift not conducive to the well-being, safety and demeanor of police officers. The booze was allegedly delivered to senior on duty officers, with delivery being made at Police premises in one instance.”: “Some of the wording on the purported invoice seems strangely reminiscent of the prohibition era in the USA. Somebody trying to conceal the illicit transportation of alcohol.”

EMAIL DATED 15 April 2013 FROM JOHN DONOVAN TO LINDA SZYMANSKI, ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC CHIEF ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER.

Dear Linda Szymanski

I sent emails to you on 28 March 2013 and 29 March 2013 (also copied to Michiel Brandjes) concerning allegations made by a former Shell supplier OSSL, that Shell E&P Ireland has engaged in widespread corruption of the Irish Police force. According to OSSL and the related purported invoice dated 28 August 2012, Shell funded alcohol was allegedly distributed to the Police, a gift not conducive to the well-being, safety and demeanor of police officers. The booze was allegedly delivered to senior on duty officers, with delivery being made at Police premises in one instance. read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL SCREW UP IN THE ARCTIC

Apr 7th, 2013
by John Donovan.
No comments yet

Screen Shot 2013-04-07 at 10.34.44In case you are not aware, ***I have already supplied Shell insider information and leaked documents to the Department of the Interior. A senior person requested our help on behalf of the DoI, which we were happy to give. We will of course be pleased to assist in any further requests made of us.

EMAIL FROM JOHN DONOVAN TO U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY KEN SALAZAR: SENT 7 APRIL 2013

Secretary Salazar
Department of the Interior
1849 C street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240

Dear Mr. Salazar

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL SCREW UP IN THE ARCTIC

I am contacting you in your capacity as the Secretary of the Interior.

With my father, who will be 96 this month, I operate an independent, entirely non-commercial website – *royaldutchshellplc.com – that monitors the activities of Royal Dutch Shell.

We regularly publish Shell internal information supplied by a network of insiders who have provided information in relation to what you have aptly described as a “screw-up” by Shell in its Arctic drilling campaign.
 read more

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.
← Earlier Posts Newer Posts →
Comment Rules

  • Please show respect to the opinions of others no matter how seemingly far-fetched.
  • Abusive, foul language, and/or divisive comments may be deleted without notice.
  • Each blog member is allowed limited comments, as displayed above the comment box.
  • Comments must be limited to the number of words displayed above the comment box.
  • Please limit one comment after any comment posted per post.